Combined ironing-board and bosom-stretcher



Patented Apr. 8, 1890.

D- A. PHELPS. COMBINE-D IRONING BOARD AND BOSOM STRETOHER.

(N0 Mddel.)

08 m? Z7 K/m UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

DON A. PHELPS, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

COMBINED lRONlNG-BOARD AND BOSOM-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 425,048, dated April 8,1890.

Application filed March 25, 1889. Serial No. 30 L687. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, DON ALANSON PHELPS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Cincinnati, in the county-of Hamilton, State of Ohio, haveinvented certain Improvements in a Combined Ironing- Board and Bosom-Stretcher, of which the following is a specification, reference beinghadto the accompanying drawings.

The object of my invention is to provide an ironing-board for ironingshirt-bosoms, which will permit of thebosom beingevenlystretched beforebeing ironed, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

111 the accompanying drawings, Figure l. is a perspective view of myimproved ironingboard and stretcher as preferably constructed. Fig. 2 isa top view of same, with a shirtbosom in place thereon. Fig. 3 is a sideview of the rear end of the board, showing the stretching mechanism inan elevated position before the bosom is stretched. Fig. 4 is aviewsimilar to Fig. 3, showing the stretching mechanism down in position, asshown in Fig. 2, with the bosom stretched.

My invention consists of' a board A, of suitable size and configuration,the same having its top surface padded in the usual manner. In the frontend of said board is secured the spring-head, over which the collar ofthe shirt is secured before being stretched. This head is preferablymade up of the spring-wire portion B, bent in such a manner as to formthe loops 1) and eyes I), the two ends of said wire being suitablysecured in the end of board A. A suitable covered spiral spring C ispassed through the eyes I) and rests in the loops 1), as shown, the endsof said covered spring 0 being attached to the outer end portions of theboard A. The object in having this spiral spring covered is to preventany rust that might otherwise accumulate on the spring from coming incontact with the collar of the shirt. If desired, a piece of rubber orother elastic material may be used instead of this spiral spring.

The mechanism preferably employed for stretching the shirt-bosom isconstructed as follows: A suitable roller D is pivoted between the armscl, the latter being pivotally connected to the sides of the board nearthe rear end thereof, and above the center of the board, as shown. Tothe rear end of the board A is connected the hinged piece E, the latterbeing of such a width as to permit of its swinging between the arms cl.The outer end portion of this hinged piece E is preferably beveledinward, to' afford a bearing against the roller D when the bosom isstretched and locked in place, as shown in Fig. 4. This hinged piece Eis preferably provided with a wire or other suitable handle 8 on itslower face projecting out beyond its end portion to serve as a stop forthe roller D, and also to assist in stretching the bosom.

Having described the general construction of my improved ironing-boardand stretcher, I will now describe its operation. The band of the shirtis first ironed, after which it is buttoned or pinned and then slippedover the spring-head, the band of the shirt bearing against the coveredspiral spring C at each side, as shown. Having secured the band of theshirt over the head portion, the front flap of the shirt is passed overand around the roller D, as shown, (see Figs. 3 and 4,) after which theroller D, with the flap of the shirt around it, is pressed down over thebeveled face of the hinged piece E against the handle 6, in whichposition the flap of the shirt is firmly held between the beveled faceof the hinged piece and the roller. This operation isaccomplished whilethe hinged piece and the roller are elevated at an angle to theironing-board, after which the roller and hinged piece are brought downon a plane with the ironing-board, as shown in Fig. 4, the downwardcircular motion of said parts causing the bosom of the shirt to beevenly stretched as the flap of the shirt is caught between the hingedpiece and the roller for its entire width. The object of the spring-headis to permit the same to spring and give as the shirt-front is beingstretched, and in this manner all danger of tearing the shirt isobviated, and at the same time permitting the shirt to be thoroughlystretched.

The advantages of my improved ironingboard and bosom-stretcher areobvious. The construction is such that the shirt-front can be evenlystretched without danger of tearing, which is very desirable for familyuse.

ICO

An ironing-board having the spring-head connected to one end portionthereof and con- Sisting of a spring-Wire L, bent to form the loops 1),and eyes I), and the covered spiral spring 0, the latter passing throughthe eyes I) and resting in the loops 1), in combination with a suitablestretching device connected to 20 the other end of said board, as setforth.

DON A. PHELPS. Witnesses:

0. M. HILL, 1C1). STREHLI.

